MLC’s strict uniform policy reviewed to allow shorts

One of Melbourne’s most prestigious private girls’ schools will now allow students to wear a previously controversial item of clothing — and it’s all thanks to a campaign by four passionate Year 5 girls.

Isabella, India, Harriet, Matilda and Emma are thrilled shorts are now on the approved uniform list at MLC.

A battle by students to allow them to wear shorts in summer has seen one elite private girls’ school in Melbourne review its strict uniform policy.

Methodist Ladies’ College in Kew will now allow students to wear shorts and a short-sleeve shirt in summer in response to student feedback.

WHY THIS MELBOURNE SCHOOL BANNED SKIRTS

VICTORIA’S PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SCHOOL UNIFORM RULES

A group of passionate Year 5 students led the campaign, and wrote a proposal letter to MLC Principal Diana Vernon, with the idea.

Key campaigners Isabella, India, Matilda and Emma believe “lots and lots of girls” will take up the new items.

India, 10, is thrilled she’ll now be able to play and move with ease, and Isabella was just excited their hard work had paid off.

“You can be restricted doing cartwheels or playing basketball,” she said.

Ms Vernon said the college had also introduced pants as a uniform option back in 2002, which was “quite revolutionary” at the time.

Dresses were once the only summer option for girls at MLC during summer.

“Having shorts as an option in girls’ independent schools is not yet the mainstream, but MLC is proud to drive change and also to support student input,” she said.

“While it is important to have a unifying MLC uniform that students are proud to wear, we also support providing flexible options to suit each students’ individual preferences, much like they will encounter in their future careers.”

Students at the selective-entry Mac.Robertson Girls High School are also able to swap skirts for pants, and Lowther Hall Anglican Grammar School has even banned dresses and skirts for junior primary girls to encourage more physical activity.

Many private Melbourne schools have a litany of rules though, including Lauriston Girls’ School in Armadale where students must avoid make-up, nail polish and piercings, keep their hair above the collar, and have their skirts no more than 5cm above the knee.

St Kevin’s College in Toorak also forbids “extreme hair styles” and mandates that hair be cut “clearly off the collar, face and ears”.